Man Accused of Attempted Marietta Home Invasion, victim describes her terror

Andrew Dequan Ash, 36, of Atlanta, was arrested and accused of attempted home invasion on January 22, at The Franklin apartment complex on Franklin Gateway in Marietta.

According to a Marietta Police Department arrest warrant, Police found Ash attempting to force his way into Keekee Edwards’ apartment while she was on the phone with 911. Video evidence shows Ash kicking and thrusting against the door for about five minutes.

When Ash was arrested, Police found him in possession of a set of locking pliers and a glass pipe containing methamphetamine.

According to the arrest warrant, Ash is charged with first-degree burglary—home invasion and possession of methamphetamine.

He was booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center on January 22, where he remains in custody without bond.

VICTIM DESCRIBES HER TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE

As police arrested the intruder, Keekee Edwards described the terrifying experience of fighting off an attack in her own home.

Edwards has lived at the apartment complex on Franklin Gateway for over 10 years without any prior incidents. At 7:30 a.m. on January 22, Edwards heard the sound of someone trying to open her door. “I heard someone rattling my door,” she said. She checked the rink camera, where she saw a stranger with one hand over the lens and the other covering the peephole. Edwards says she shouted at him to leave, but she could hear him continuing to try to push the door open. She immediately called 911 while bracing herself against the door.

“I was going to hold it until I couldn’t hold it anymore,” Edwards recalled. “All I could think about was my life. I thought if he had gotten in, I probably would’ve been gone.”

With all her strength, Edwards said she continued to push back against the door, which lasted for several minutes before Marietta police arrived. Video footage showed officers pulling the suspect away from the door and arresting him on the spot.

The next day, Edwards said she purchased a gun for protection. “I had to go and get it for my safety. I keep it next to my bed in a lockbox to make sure there are no issues next time,” she said.

Edwards expressed her gratitude toward the 911 operator and the police officers for their swift response. One officer even stayed with her afterward to calm her down. Despite the arrest, Edwards says the trauma still lingers. “To this day, when I hear something, I’m jumping up,” she said.